Published: May 09, 2008 07:32 pm            

Tempers flare at LaPoynor ISD meeting

Superintendent Buford accosted in hallway by group angry over coach resignations

Two months after the resignation of two LaPoynor High School coaches regarding allegations they abused the district’s e-mail policy, emotions boiled over after a three-and-a-half hour school board meeting Thursday.

In March, the board accepted the resignations of Brad Rogers and Ronnie Dunn following a four-hour executive session. The resignations stemmed from allegations they inappropriately used the district’s e-mail system by downloading, and in some cases, forwarding improper e-mails that included obscene materials.

“The coaches resigned in March. We’re nearly two months beyond it. That decision is gone,” Superintendent Eugene Buford said Thursday night.

The agenda for Thursday’s special meeting called for an executive session — held outside the public view — to discuss a broad range of issues including “employment, resignations, terminations, discipline and real estate.” Many in the overflow crowd in the small meeting room hoped the session would address issues related to Buford’s performance.

When that didn’t happen, some became vocal.

“I don’t know what their expectations were as to why they were angry, but they’re angry at me,” Buford said.

Shortly before 7 p.m., teachers, parents and students began to gather at the school in anticipation of the meeting. Some brought chairs into the long hallway while others sat in the floor. Finally, at about 10:30, the closed session ended.

Buford said the bulk of the executive session involved a hearing concerning computer instructor Donna Crook, who had been informed in March that her contract would not be renewed. Following the executive session Thursday, the board re-convened and voted 5-2 to retain Crook under a probationary contract. The board also accepted resignations from high school Principal Wes Wood, Elementary School Principal Richard Bishop and Language Arts Instructor Angela Singer. No further explanation was given.

“The agenda that was posted included nothing but the executive session. The board took care of a scheduled hearing. I was outside while the board deliberated and the deliberations were related to the hearing,” Buford said.

When the last vote was taken, several of those in attendance stood at the back of the room and expressed displeasure that trustees took no action concerning Buford.

“It was disappointing to me,” Buford said concerning the complaints. “They acted like the meeting was about a whole different topic.”

After the meeting supporters of Dunn and Rogers confronted Buford in the hallway, alleging that he had also abused the e-mail policy and had made other decisions harmful to the district.

“I did what I had to do for the good of the district,” Buford responded to the group.

The next scheduled meeting of the trustees is Thursday, May 15.

        

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